Funding sources of assistive technology have varied requirements. Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc., the Idaho Protection and Advocacy system, developed "10 Rules of Advocacy" to assist individuals with disabilities, their families, and the professionals that serve them, with obtaining the assistive technology services and devices they need. Participants, through organizing information into "rules," will receive an overview of assistive technology funding sources, the basic requirements for obtaining funding under each system, and a framework for evaluating the individual plans these funding sources usually require. Participants will also receive information on various funding sources and a list of state P&A systems.
Suzie Hanks, Disability Rights Advocate, Comprehensive Advocacy, Boise, ID .
Rule 1: “Where Is That Written”
To understand any system/agency find and keep:
Authorizing Statutes (Federal and State Laws)
State Regulations and Rules
Agency/System Specific Policies and Procedures
List of frequently used Terms and Acronyms
Rule 2: “They Need to Say It in Writing”
Ask for and then keep:
Application
Written Notice of Decisions - Accept no phone-in substitutions
All Individual Plans from All Agencies
Data/Evaluation Reports
Informational Letters
(Keep envelopes for actual posting dates)
Rule 3: “Create Your Own Paper Trail”
Disagree in writing by deadlines
If in doubt, sending your disagreement in writing within 10 calendar days
will meet most public/private agency regulations and/or policies
Keep a copy of everything - forms you complete and letters you write
Keep a phone log
Write a letter/e-mail after any meeting, unless given minutes at the meeting
Include attendees, agreed upon actions, the individuals responsible and
any timelines
Rule 4: “You Have to Find It to Use It”
Create a filing system based on your thinking pattern:
By Date?
By Subject?
By Person?
Tell your filing rules to someone else
Make “time to file” a priority
Update files at least annually by comparing your records to agency‘s records
Promote, Protect
and Advocate
Created by: Suzie Hanks, Disability Rights Advocate
Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc.
Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System
Closing the Gap 2007
Rule 5: “If you Knew What I Know”
Ask for explanations of decisions/recommendations based on current,
observable information (rather than casual observation or professional
opinion without data)
Treat denials as “requests for more information”
If they only knew what I know!
Ask: “What information is needed to change the decision and how long do I
have to collect it? (Where is that written?)
In many agencies, a team makes the decision about what device is appropriate,
what training is needed, etc. Then they write a plan.
Therefore, the following rules deal with teams and the plans they write.
Rule 6: “Ask the Right Question”
Is the agency and advocate:
Identifying the same problem?
Understanding the same vocabulary?
Agreeing on the same strengths/needs/goals?
Identifying the same solutions and resources?
Rule 7: “The Map It Rule”
The destination should be clear
The journey should be pleasant
Individuals should have a way to change the route or destination in response
to changing needs or interests
The “map” should be frequently updated
Rule 8: “The Panicked Substitute”
Would a sub:
PANIC or know what to do?
Recognize when others are following or not following the plan?
Be able to understand and follow the plan without additional verbal
instructions from staff that may or may not be present
Rule 9: “The So What Rule”
If the person with a disability completes the plan, accomplishes the goals,
masters the device, what is the real life result?
Is it the desired result?
Rule 10: “The Wish List”
If a current plan is exactly the same as the previous one, or the devices
were never used, the activities never took place; it’s a “Wish List” not a plan
Start Over!!
To Appeal or Not to Appeal a decision? Apply the Golden Rules of Advocacy
The person with a disability gets to make the decision because they live
with the consequences
Closing the Gap 2007
10 Rules of Advocacy
Rule 1: “Where Is That Written”
To understand any system/agency find and keep:
Authorizing Statutes (Federal and State Laws)
State Regulations and Rules
Agency/System Specific Policies and Procedures
List of frequently used Terms and Acronyms
Rule 2: “They Need to Say It in Writing”
Ask for and then keep:
Application
Written Notice of Decisions - Accept no phone-in substitutions
All Individual Plans from All Agencies
Data/Evaluation Reports
Informational Letters
(Keep envelopes for actual posting dates)
Rule 3: “Create Your Own Paper Trail”
Disagree in writing by deadlines
If in doubt, sending your disagreement in writing within 10 calendar days
will meet most public/private agency regulations and/or policies
Keep a copy of everything - forms you complete and letters you write
Keep a phone log
Write a letter/e-mail after any meeting, unless given minutes at the meeting
Include attendees, agreed upon actions, the individuals responsible and
any timelines
Rule 4: “You Have to Find It to Use It”
Create a filing system based on your thinking pattern:
By Date?
By Subject?
By Person?
Tell your filing rules to someone else
Make “time to file” a priority
Update files at least annually by comparing your records to agency‘s records
Promote, Protect
and Advocate
Created by: Suzie Hanks, Disability Rights Advocate
Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc.
Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System
Closing the Gap 2007
Rule 5: “If you Knew What I Know”
Ask for explanations of decisions/recommendations based on current,
observable information (rather than casual observation or professional
opinion without data)
Treat denials as “requests for more information”
If they only knew what I know!
Ask: “What information is needed to change the decision and how long do I
have to collect it? (Where is that written?)
In many agencies, a team makes the decision about what device is appropriate,
what training is needed, etc. Then they write a plan.
Therefore, the following rules deal with teams and the plans they write.
Rule 6: “Ask the Right Question”
Is the agency and advocate:
Identifying the same problem?
Understanding the same vocabulary?
Agreeing on the same strengths/needs/goals?
Identifying the same solutions and resources?
Rule 7: “The Map It Rule”
The destination should be clear
The journey should be pleasant
Individuals should have a way to change the route or destination in response
to changing needs or interests
The “map” should be frequently updated
Rule 8: “The Panicked Substitute”
Would a sub:
PANIC or know what to do?
Recognize when others are following or not following the plan?
Be able to understand and follow the plan without additional verbal
instructions from staff that may or may not be present
Rule 9: “The So What Rule”
If the person with a disability completes the plan, accomplishes the goals,
masters the device, what is the real life result?
Is it the desired result?
Rule 10: “The Wish List”
If a current plan is exactly the same as the previous one, or the devices
were never used, the activities never took place; it’s a “Wish List” not a plan
Start Over!!
To Appeal or Not to Appeal a decision? Apply the Golden Rules of Advocacy
The person with a disability gets to make the decision because they live
with the consequences